Renaissance Cafe
1746 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA
Back when I was in University, I never had to go through one of those stereotypical late night assignments ending at wee hours of the day and, as a result, the next morning going around for a substantial breakfast. (That does not apply even if you change it to a night out drink). Let’s just say I have my own way on having things done but there was one thing I did have with a certain frequency: After finishing class past 11:00 p.m. (yup, call it crazy!), I went to a mini-mart where they made some killer Cuban sandwich. Alas, last time I checked that place was gone (then again, it has been eons ago). So, when I was in Tacoma, on my last day, I wanted to check some local spots where students would frequent (University of Washington at Tacoma was a couple of blocks away from the hotel) for the same purpose and that’s how I ended up going to Renaissance Cafe. Now, not late night eats but early ones instead.
Upon walking in, you could tell the place had certain character, as in this is not your run off the mill breakfast spot. Instead, I will have to say there was certain charm in it. Not sure if it was due to the owner either (as he was quite involved with the customers). If I were back in my University years, I could envision myself sipping some tea… Fortunately (?), while my University years were good to me, I also had my share of bad experiences and I am not certain they are some I am willing to go back and re-live.
As for the food, given it was breakfast time, I ended up going for exactly that. For the most part, everything looked like something you could get anywhere, until I laid my eyes on something that made me smirk: The Chicken and the Egg – Unable to resolve the age old question of which came first, Philosophers find solace in knowing that here at least neither came first. They come at the same time in a uniquely delicious scramble. Now, the name of dish wasn’t particularly attractive but the story behind it: so, in your opinion, which one was first, chicken or the egg? (Technically is the chicken but we can argue some other time). So, rather than answer that, how about throwing the two of them together!
Alas, while the concept was interesting, the end result was a bit strange. The first thing I noticed was the lack of seasoning. It desperately needed something – I ended up adding some hot sauce and that worked really well. The other detail I would have preferred was the type of chicken: in this case, it seems it was using what appears to be chicken breast. While that might be something most people prefer, that is not my case, as I am more of a dark meat person. Again, the hot sauce partially salvaged the situation.
I am not necessarily a toast person and I am sure some people will look at those toast and wonder what happened. Yes, they were toasted to almost burnt but, actually, it had an almost perfect texture. Add some butter and the jam… Ah, nothing beats something this simple.
So, sure, the food wasn’t the greatest but, then again, I can envision me coming here not necessarily for the food but for something else that can’t be described. And, given the location and its possible target public (students, as well as customers visiting the nearby location attractions), I can’t help imagining other customers dropping by. So, it is a case where charm beats food…
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Mom says not to eat that burnt toast, cause it’s carcinogenic. Me and my big mouth.
Earl grey at breakfast is right no matter where one is in any corner of the world.
EnbM, it certainly beats Orange Pekoe from, say, MickeyD’s!
oh, that poor toast. that’s probably the only thing i would eat if it was breakfast time so i would be ticked off…
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